Lawyer seeks order limiting NFL communications with Hall of Fame Game customers

Posted by Mike Florio on August 29, 2016, 11:15 PM EST

AP

As the Hall of Fame Game class action gets started, the lawyer representing the persons suing the Hall of Fame and the NFL for compensation arising from the cancellation of the game hopes to prevent the process from becoming short-circuited.

Lawyer Michael Avenatti seeks an order limiting the communications of the Hall of Fame and the NFL directly with customers. Avenatti points to the enhanced refund policy, which offers more than the face value of the tickets purchased and extra benefits in exchange for a full waiver of legal claims.

The motion seeks the nullification of any releases already obtained and other relief, including a requirement that no settlement communications be made directly to class members without first obtaining permission from the court.

Avenatti contends that he has attempted to resolve this issue directly with the Hall of Fame and the NFL, but that his requests have been ignored.

The case remains in its infancy; Avenatti initially filed the case in an Ohio federal court but then dismissed it and re-filed the lawsuit in a California federal court. The NFL failed to respond to an offer from Avenatti to settle the case in exchange for the payment of $450 to each of the persons who purchased tickets to the game between the Packers and Colts.